Mid-Century Modern Ceramic Vase by Blanche Letalle for Saint Clément, France, 1950s

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A French Mid-Century Modern ceramic vase by Blanche Letalle for Saint Clément, dating from the 1950s, with a matte charcoal-gray … Read more A French Mid-Century Modern ceramic vase by Blanche Letalle for Saint Clément, dating from the 1950s, with a matte charcoal-gray body and glossy green neck. The vase has a simple, beautifully controlled urn form, broad through the shoulders and gently tapering toward the base. Its modernist character comes through particularly strongly in the treatment of the surface. Rather than applied decoration, Letalle uses contrasting color and finish to define the piece: the charcoal-gray body is matte and finely textured, while the short flared neck is finished in a deep green high-gloss enamel. The effect is understated but quite graphic. Light is softly absorbed across the dark body and reflected by the green glaze above, making the transition between the two surfaces an important part of the design. The rounded mouth and gently curved profile keep the form soft, balancing the more architectural quality of the contrasting finishes. Hand-built in earthenware in France and bearing an impressed mark to the underside. Good vintage condition with light surface wear. No known restoration or repairs. Dimensions: Height 23 cm / 9.06 in.; diameter 19 cm / 7.48 in. This piece is attributed to the mentioned designer/maker. It has no attribution mark and no
official proof of authenticity,
however it is well documented in design history. I take full responsibility for any authenticity



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